Bunions are a frustrating nuisance for anyone who wants to don fashionable open toed sandals but feel the red, hard bump at the side of their big toe joint should be hidden from view. Although bunions’ unsightly appearance is often the main concern, bunions can be far more than a beauty issue as bunions grow and worsen over time, often causing pain and impacting mobility.

If you have a bunion, it’s best to leave your high heels and tight fitting footwear in your closet and cosmetics are not the reason. Narrow shoes, particularly high heels and dress shoes, can make bunions worse. In fact, they are one of the causes of bunions and one of the reasons bunions develop far more frequently in women. Bunions can also be caused by arthritis, structural foot problems (people who have flat feet or feet that roll inward are more prone to bunions), foot trauma and ill-fitting shoes. Genetics can also make you more susceptible to developing bunions as well.

Although bunions usually get progressively worse, some bunions grow faster than others. If your bunion is causing you pain, making it difficult for you to find shoes that fit properly or restricting the movement of your big toe or foot you should book a consultation with a foot care professional such as a Canadian Certified Pedorthist.Your Canadian Certified Pedorthist will conduct a full assessment of your feet and lower limbs and advise you about a variety of non-surgical treatment options to provide relief from your bunion, including:

Shoe modifications such as spot stretching the relieve pressure and rubbing

Using over the counter or custom foot orthotics to re-distribute pressure

Modifying your activities to reduce the pressure on your bunion

It’s important to seek treatment if your bunion is causing you discomfort as untreated bunions can result in painful complications such as hammertoes, blistering that can lead to infection, and potentially decreased mobility. If you are suffering from bunions and would like a full pedorthic assessment please call your nearest clinic location to book an appointment or email alignpedorthics@gmail.com to speak directly to Laura.

Today’s world is full of a lot of different health care advice, especially relative to your feet: wear these shoes, don’t do this, try this therapy, etc. In an effort to help guide your walk through your health care journey – pun intended! – Laura, Canadian Certified Pedorthist and orthotic specialist, is going to debunk 5 myths that you may have heard about custom made orthotics.

Myth #1: All footwear inserts are the sameNo way! There are over the counter insoles and custom orthotics. Over the counter insoles come in an array of materials – from gel cushioning to moderate support. Custom orthotics are made specific to you and materials are chosen based on a variety of factors. Not everyone needs custom, and not everyone can get by with over the counter. Laura is happy to assess you and determine which route is best for your needs.

Myth #2: All providers are the sameDefinitely not. These days it seems that there is someone offering custom orthotics on every corner: chiropodists, chiropractors, cruise ships salespeople, Costco employees. Canadian Certified Pedorthists are trained specifically in the manufacturing process of the orthotics, allowing us to make onsite adjustments if necessary and a true custom made device. If you aren’t offered a full indepth lower body assessment and gait analysis, the provider is probably not offering the best orthotic out there.

Myth #3: You can only wear your orthotics in one pair of shoesThis could not be further from the truth! If a provider tells you that you must purchase multiple pairs of orthotics or footwear (or is throwing them in for free), you likely aren’t seeing a legitimate orthotic professional. One pair of orthotics should be able to move around from shoe to shoe fairly easily. Yes, you may need a different style of orthotic for your high heels versus your running shoe, but for the most part the orthotics are versatile enough to fit the majority of the shoes in your closet.

Myth #4: Orthotics only help with foot painFalse. Yes, orthotics help with pain in your heels, balls of the feet and arches BUT did you know they can relieve pressure further up the kinetic chain as well? Osteoarthritis in the knees and ankles, lower back pain when standing or walking and pain through the hips can all be addressed with a custom orthotic to change how you are walking.

Myth #5: If I get orthotics I don’t have to do physiotherapy, chiropractic, osteopathy, etc.Not true! Depending on the condition, you will likely see the best results if you use your orthotics in combination with one of these types of therapy. In fact, Laura generally suggests one of these providers to visit to get you feeling your best in the shortest about of time. Typically speaking, the pain you are feeling is caused by a poor walking pattern which has caused an imbalance of forces or muscle development elsewhere. If we can correct how you walk and simultaneously work on evening out these imbalances, your healing time is much quicker.

If you would like a no-obligation assessment to discuss your needs please call your nearest clinic.

If you have experienced issues such as heel pain first thing in the morning, knee pain during a run, or arthritic pain in your big toe you may have looked into the possibility of custom made orthotics. There are a variety of health care providers that offer this service, including chiropractors, physiotherapists and chiropodists as well as providers that aren’t in the health care industry such as cruise ship vendors, shoe sales people and a machine you step on in the middle of Costco.

Canadian Certified Pedorthists, or C. Ped (C)s, fall into the category of heath care providers of custom made orthotics. However, on top of being trained in lower limb anatomy and biomechanics, C. Ped (C)s such as Laura Van den Borre at Maple Shores Health Centre in Port Elgin, also have very specialized training in the fabrication process of the orthotic device. Laura has a lab in each clinic location, allowing her to fit your orthotics into multiple shoes as well as to do same day modifications so you never have to go without your orthotics.

As a C. Ped (C), Laura will perform a thorough 45 minute assessment that will go over your alignment, your range of motion and your gait analysis. If orthotics are deemed necessary, a three-dimensional mould is taken. This 3D cast allows the orthotic to be hand-built directly off of the patient’s foot - this is what makes the custom orthotic truly custom. This is process that sets C. Ped (C)s apart from other orthotic providers and makes them experts in the industry.

If you are considering custom made orthotics for your foot, knee or hip pain, please look into the provider you are considering. Would you go to your dentist for a pair of prescription eyeglasses?

If you or someone you know is looking for a C. Ped (C) please call Laura Van den Borre at your nearest location to see how her expertise can help you get back to your active, pain free life.

It's finally August and whether you are in the peak of your running program or just getting started for a fall race, here are 5 common running injuries and what you can do to prevent them.1. Shin splintsMany people who dive right in to their running program will develop at least a mild case of shin splints. Typically caused by overpronation, unsupportive running shoes or hard surfaces such as concrete, you can avoid this pain by easing into your running regime and starting out on softer surfaces such as trails. If the pain persists, it may be necessary to look at more supportive footwear or even orthotics to correct biomechanics.2. Knee painKnee pain can develop for a variety of reasons: limited shock absorption, worn out footwear, muscle imbalances, overpronation or oversupination or osteoarthritis. Medial knee is especially common in road runners. Don't forget to switch sides of the street to avoid having the grade of the pavement affect your joints.3. Forefoot painEspecially in forefoot strikers, people who spend a lot of time on the balls of their feet may be apt to have achiness, tingling or even numbness. Sometimes the metatarsal arch (across the balls of the feet) will drop allowing for increased pressure. An orthotic that can support this arch may be beneficial to decrease pressures.4. Achilles tendonitisCommon in people who have hill training as part of their training program, the Achilles' tendon can become irritated if running on an incline for too long, too soon. Make sure to ease into this type of training to avoid inflammation at the back of your heel or possible rupture. Orthotics with heel lifts as well as running shoes with a higher heel to ball ratio can help reduce tension on the Achilles' tendons.5.Plantar fasciitisHeel pain is common in many people (not just runners!) but unfortunately, forces are exaggerated when we run. The plantar fascia is designed to absorb shock by acting like a spring, or reduce how much pronation there is. If it isn't doing either of these, it can get inflamed at its origin - causing excruciating pain. Supportive footwear, ice and stretching as well as custom orthotics have been successful in many plantar fasciitis cases.If you are experiencing any of these conditions and would like a pedorthist's point of view on the best treatment plan for you please do not hesitate to call 519-787-8111 to book an appointment with Laura.

Sandal season is officially here! Make sure that your summer footwear is appropriate for your activities and not going to cause you pain in the long run. Here are 5 things to look for in sandals: 1.Heel strap – holding your heel in place is going to reduce the stress on your toes (because they don’t have to hold on for dear life!) and limit friction that can cause excessive callusing 2.Higher heel to ball ratio – flat sandals like thong flip flops allow for tissues to be stretched and overused and typically don’t protect the bottom of your foot like a thicker sole does 3.Built in arch support – sandals such as Mephistos and Vionics have great built in arches that provide more support than your average sandal 4.Torsional stability – you shouldn’t be able to fold your sandal in half, so look for something that has some rigidity to it to reduce excessive movement through your foot that can fatigue tissues quickly 5.Removeable insole – if you wear custom orthotics you aren’t stuck in shoes all summer! Look for something that the insole can come out of (like a Finn Comfort or Naot) so you can wear the orthotic in your sandals as well

If you experience foot or knee pain you may have been referred to a Canadian Certified Pedorthist from your family doctor to see if custom made orthotics are beneficial for you. I am frequently asked what happens during the process of manufacturing the custom orthotics. From start to finish, a pair of custom orthotics can take anywhere from 3-5 hours to make. After a complete biomechanical and gait analysis, a 3-dimensional mould of your feet are taken. At Align Pedorthics we use most commonly use a foambox cast. This is essentially the most important part of the process so sometimes 3-4 moulds will be taken in order to ensure the proper foot position. The mould is filled with plaster, which when dry, will give us a replication of your feet to build the orthotics off of. Once the moulds are cleaned and smoothed out, the shell of the orthotic is made. The raw material (which can be plastic, EVA, cork, etc). is heated in the oven until completely flexible. It is vacuum pressed to the foot mould to give us an exact duplication of your arch. This shell is then cut down and shaped using a grinder. Materials of different densities and thicknesses are added to the shell in order give the appropriate amount of support for the person’s needs. Making a pair of orthotics can take a lot of time and precision. Sometimes comfort is a matter of only a few millimeters or degrees so grinding takes a lot of skill. A major difference between pedorthists and other health care practitioners offering orthotics is the knowledge of the manufacturing process and how to make modifications when necessary. If you are wondering if you could benefit from custom made orthotics, please do not hesitate to book a pedorthic assessment at 519-787-8111 or click here for online scheduling.

Although this freezing cold weather makes it hard to believe, spring will actually be here before we know it! (...or that’s just my wishful thinking!) This means that we will start to come out of hibernation and start to love the outdoors again. As a pedorthist, spring means an influx of running injuries, one of the most common being shin splints. Many runners (new and experienced) hit the pavement with the intent of running as far as they can since the sunny and balmy weather has finally allowed them to do so. This often results in a condition called Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome – or shin splints. Shin splints are typically the inflammation of the connective tissue that attaches the muscles of the lower leg to your lower leg bone (tibia). Many people experience them after high impact exercises such as running, basketball, or hill training. Simply put: there is a muscle that starts on the inside of your lower leg and inserts on the bottom of your foot (posterior tibialis). This muscle helps to absorb shock by raising and lowering the arch of your foot. If it isn’t working properly, the muscle on the front of your lower leg (anterior tibialis) starts to take over. This muscle is very small and fatigues quite easily. If it is overworked, it will become very sore during your activity and probably the days to follow. What custom made foot orthotics do is allow your muscles to not work quite as hard. If your posterior tibialis isn’t working to absorb shock properly, the orthotic can do that for you. In this situation the orthotic is designed to bend and flex under your body weight to mimic what the muscle is supposed to do. This allows the anterior tibialis to only work as much as it’s supposed to so that it doesn’t become overworked and sore. Other treatment options include:·Activity appropriate footwear·Stretching and icing·Rest·Gradual increase in activity level If this is something you suffer from, please do not hesitate to call the clinic (519-787-8111) or book an appointment here to see how we can help.

Now that the busy holiday season has come to an end, it’s time to focus on yourself again! The holidays are an extremely busy time of the year and often we forget to take care of ourselves. Here are some things that you can do to maintain your foot health during these chilly winter months:Wear appropriate footwear!This means weather appropriate but also activity appropriate. Often times we think we are just quickly running out to the car and we are out of the wet and cold. What we don’t realize is that if our feet get wet and don’t have the space to dry thoroughly, we are more susceptible to soft corns between the toes which can be extremely painful. Also, we need to make sure we are in supportive shoes for even short bursts of activity, such as shoveling snow, since many times this overexertion can cause injury to unsupported tissues in the feet.Stay active!The frosty winter weather usually makes us want to cuddle up on the couch and not move very far. However, by staying active through these months we will maintain the strength and flexibility we developed in the spring and summer months. By doing this, the muscles and tendons won’t go into shock when you suddenly decide to use them again – like when you go on your trip down south or when the spring weather rolls finally around.Keep those feet bundled up.This is especially important for people who suffer from poor circulation or diabetic neuropathies (loss of feeling). Make sure to wear thick socks and warm winter boots to prevent any chances of hypothermia. Often if there is already a lack of sensation in the toes and feet this may be pushed off as a “normal” feeling, but it’s extremely important to monitor temperature in these situations. As always please do not hesitate to call or email if you have any questions or would like to book an appointment to see if custom orthotics may help you find comfort.

I was recently asked “Do you do custom orthotics for children?” My answer in one word: “Rarely.” If you look at most infant and young children’s feet you will notice that they have flat feet! What many people do not know is that children typically do not develop arches until between the ages of 4 to 6 years old. Until this age, the ligaments and tendons have not fully developed and grown into their fully functioning size and strength, giving the appearance of a flat arch. Typically in this situation, the child has not complained of any pain yet the parent is concerned about “normal” development – but this is normal! In this case, I would not do a custom orthotics device, or even recommend an over-the-counter insole, until after about age 6 or until the child complains about pain, which may be never! However, there are cases where non-surgical intervention may be necessary. These are situations where it may be necessary to speak with a pedorthist about options for your child:·Excessive shoe wear·Tripping over his or her own feet·Severe in-toeing or out-toeing·Pain – in feet, ankle, knees, calves·Decrease in activity level with no explanation·Congenital deformity – such as club foot or metatarsus adductus If you are concerned about your children’s development and would like an opinion on whether or not pedorthic treatment is necessary please do not hesitate to call 519-787-8111 or visit here to book an appointment.

Metarsalgia is a term that describes forefoot pain, or pain at the balls of your feet. This especially includes the 3 conditions of: Morton’s syndrome, Morton’s neuroma and metatarsal head pain.Morton’s SyndromeThis condition is when a person’s big toe is shorter than their second toe, causing the second toe to take on most of the pressure.

Morton’s NeuromaThere are nerves that run between the long bones in the foot. When these nerves get compressed, they become enlarged and inflamed.

Metatarsal Head PainSometimes the balls of the feet naturally have a higher amount of pressure under them, causing discomfort when standing for longer periods or during activity. Signs include:

Numbness and tingling in toes

Callusing under 2nd met head

Tenderness between toe joints

Feeling of stepping on a stone

Fat pad atrophy

Pain is worse while wearing footwear

Treatment Options Custom Made Foot OrthoticsAlong with the main arch in your foot (medial longitudinal arch) there is an arch that runs around the balls of your feet called the transverse or metatarsal arch. Custom orthotics can act to support both of these arches as they work together during weight bearing. Custom orthotics can incorporate the following features:

Forefoot cushioning – if the fat pad has migrated forward cushioning can act to replace it

Hollowing – offloads the affected joint capsule that is irritated

Metatarsal pads or bars – supports the transverse arch by not letting it collapse like it naturally wants to

FootwearSince footwear is a main cause of metatarsalgia, it is important to find a pair of shoes with appropriate features to relieve pain. When shopping for shoes, keep an eye out for these features:

Wider toe box – avoid squeezing the ball of the foot which could aggravate any nerve impingements